Syllabus: GS3/ Environment and Agriculture
Context
- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) adopted the Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture.
About
- The declaration was launched on the occasion of the High-level Rome Water Dialogue, taking place on the sidelines of FAO’s annual World Food Forum (WFF).
- The Declaration was aimed at addressing water scarcity increasingly exacerbated by the climate crisis.
- The WASAG initiative was launched at the United Nations Climate Conference in Marrakesh in 2016 to support countries in addressing water scarcity challenges.
| Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security. – It was founded on 16 October 1945. – Members: The FAO comprises 195 members, including 194 countries and the European Union. – Headquarters: Rome, Italy. World Food Forum (WFF) – WFF was launched in 2021 by the Youth Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization as an independent network of partners. – It serves as the premier global platform to actively shape agrifood systems for a better food future, accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). – Key highlight: The Global Family Farming Forum was launched by the FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). – The theme of 2024 WFF: ‘Good food for all, for today and tomorrow’. |
What is Family Farming?
- Family farming refers to agricultural activities that are managed and operated by families, relying primarily on family labor.
- It encompasses all family-based agricultural activities, including crops, forestry, fisheries, and pastoralism.
Significance of Family farming
- Family farming, with over 550 million farms worldwide, is the backbone of food production, accounting for over 90 per cent of all farms,
- It produces 70 to 80 percent of the world’s food in value terms.
- Family farmers, especially in low- and middle-income countries, grow diverse, nutritious food, support crop biodiversity and manage natural resources responsibly.
- The United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) 2019-2028 was adopted on December 20, 2017 by the UN General Assembly unanimously and supported by 104 countries.
Challenges Faced by Family Farming
- Climate Change: It is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns, which affect crop yields and food production.
- Access to Resources: The small family farms face limited access to land, water, financial services, technology, and markets, impeding their ability to increase productivity and income.
- Policy and Institutional Support: In many regions, family farmers receive insufficient government support in terms of subsidies, infrastructure, and favorable policies that could help them compete in larger markets.
Way Ahead
- Promoting climate-smart agricultural practices is essential to help family farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.
- Engaging the younger generation in farming through education, skill development, and financial incentives will help ensure the continuity of family farming.
Source: DTE
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